Towards reducing the reliance on benzodiazepines: Promoting Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction to modulate anxiety symptoms in the acute mental health inpatient setting

McKay, James 2012. Towards reducing the reliance on benzodiazepines: Promoting Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction to modulate anxiety symptoms in the acute mental health inpatient setting. [Taught Course Thesis]. Bachelor, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Anxiety and psychological distress associated with psychiatric problems have a detrimental effect on recovery and even low levels can significantly reduce life expectancy. Present coping strategies are poor and tend to incorporate an overreliance on pro re nata (PRN) benzodiazepine-based anxiolytics. This goes against prescribing advice and offers no real help in the long term for patients. More recently, research has demonstrated the importance of promoting therapeutic lifestyles and mindfulness appears to offer a significant positive contribution towards enhancing psychological well-being. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a technique born out of Buddhist ideology, has been utilised extensively within medical settings. However, its role and function in mental health inpatient settings remains largely un-tested. As a broad spectrum technique, MBSR offers significant potential as an adjunct to treatment and may improve the effectiveness of established diagnosisspecific approaches. There is a possibly that it could reduce the incidence of acute anxiety episodes. This would negate the need for anxiolytic medication. With the right training, nurses could be the ideal professionals to deliver MBSR interventions. The established efficacy in medical settings and potential cost-saving implications associated with the technique merit further investigation within a mental health context. Hence, this dissertation will review the literature, highlighting the problems associated with benzodiazepine usage and determining what is known about this MBSR as an alternative technique. A research proposal is then recommended to further explore the application and effectiveness of MBSR within an acute mental health inpatient setting.

Item Type:	Taught Course Thesis
Schools:	Healthcare Sciences
Subjects:	R Medicine > RT Nursing
Additional Information:	This dissertation is only available to Cardiff University staff and students.
Last Modified:	19 Mar 2016 23:17
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/45869

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